I'll Have a New Body (I'll Have a New Life) - Hank Williams, Traditional

Fingers on Fire - Hank Williams, Smith, Arthur [1]

Sally Goodin - Hank Williams, Traditional

Track Listings (23) - Disc #2

Happy Rovin' Cowboy [Theme] - Hank Williams, Nolan, Bob [1]

A Mansion on the Hill - Hank Williams, Rose, Fred

There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight - Hank Williams, Williams, Hank [1]

Wagner - Hank Williams,

The Prodigal Son - Hank Williams, Jenkins, Floyd

Sally Goodin - Hank Williams, Traditional

Happy Rovin' Cowboy [Theme] - Hank Williams, Nolan, Bob [1]

Pan American - Hank Williams, Williams, Hank [1]

Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams, Friend, Cliff

Arkansas Traveler - Hank Williams, Traditional

I Saw the Light - Hank Williams, Williams, Hank [1]

Sally Goodin - Hank Williams, Traditional

Happy Rovin' Cowboy [Theme] - Hank Williams, Nolan, Bob [1]

Mind Your Own Business - Hank Williams, Williams, Hank [1]

Wedding Bells - Hank Williams, Boone, Claude

I've Just Told Mama Goodbye - Hank Williams, Kinsey, Curly

Sally Goodin - Hank Williams, Traditional

Happy Rovin' Cowboy [Theme] - Hank Williams, Nolan, Bob [1]

I Can't Get You off of My Mind - Hank Williams, Williams, Hank [1]

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams, Williams, Hank [1]

Fisherman's Hornpipe - Hank Williams, Traditional

Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine - Hank Williams, King, Pee Wee

Sally Goodin - Hank Williams, Traditional

In 1949, 26-year old Hank Williams struck a deal with the makers of Hadacol to sponsor his first syndicated radio series. Without it and these two-CD transcriptions of music and between-song prattle, we might never have he... more &raquoard what he was like in his molassified, hayseed ("if the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise") glory. Williams was a master of simplicity, both in his writing and in his relaxed performance, where his otherworldly voice often snapped and splintered like a dry branch. But aside from letting Miss Audrey, the Nashville Yoko Ono, get up on stage, he was also his own best producer, allowing members of his Drifting Cowboys band to stretch out in small solos and put their stamp on an entire era. "Play it like you mean it, boys," he always said. Then, as now, authenticity sells. --Alanna Nash&laquo less

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording

In 1949, 26-year old Hank Williams struck a deal with the makers of Hadacol to sponsor his first syndicated radio series. Without it and these two-CD transcriptions of music and between-song prattle, we might never have heard what he was like in his molassified, hayseed ("if the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise") glory. Williams was a master of simplicity, both in his writing and in his relaxed performance, where his otherworldly voice often snapped and splintered like a dry branch. But aside from letting Miss Audrey, the Nashville Yoko Ono, get up on stage, he was also his own best producer, allowing members of his Drifting Cowboys band to stretch out in small solos and put their stamp on an entire era. "Play it like you mean it, boys," he always said. Then, as now, authenticity sells. --Alanna Nash

CD Reviews

Essential to own, but sometimes disappointing to listen to

Gerald L. Russell | Knoxville, TN USA | 09/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These CDs receive five stars for content, but sound quality unnecessarily pulls them down to four stars.
I. Content
(1) For those of you who are fascinated by this haunted singer and want everything he ever recorded, these shows are essential. Hank's 1948 and 1949 hits never sounded better, and these versions are superior to the better-known, original recordings. This was the only time Hank allowed the electric guitar to predominate, and guitarist Bob McNett gives these versions a pleasing rockabilly quality. "Lovesick Blues" and "Wedding Bells" are far better than the originals. They're also tighter, more serious, and with better sound quality than the Grand Ole Opry versions (which are constantly interrupted by prompted applause). "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "You're Gonna Change" are bluesier than the originals. All Hank's other vocals are more crisp and up to date. Especially outstanding is this version of "I Saw the Light". It has far more vocal inflection than the flatter original version, and it sounds almost like the YOUR CHEATIN' HEART movie soundtrack.
(2) Hank's between-song prattle is fascinating and humorous. Hank's accompaniment on Jerry River's fiddle tunes is a hoot, with Hank singing regularly in a falsetto voice. On Show 3's fiddle tune, Hank really gets carried away in voice and laughter.
(3) The folksy CD packaging is the best of the Mercury series. The CD holders actually protect the CDs, for a change. The booklet is fascinating, with several photos I've seen nowhere else.
II. Sound quality
(1) Mercury unwisely decided against using noise reduction on these tracks. As a result, the popping and crackling on several of the songs is unpleasant, distracting, and annoying. This is especially true on the first few shows, as well as on all the "Happy Rovin' Cowboy" intros. When Mercury stripped several of the gospel songs to use on THE COMPLETE HANK WILLIAMS box set, they belatedly used noise reduction, with pleasing results.
(2) All isn't lost, however! If you want Hank's Health and Happiness vocals, with noise reduction and startlingly good sound quality, buy the inexpensive little British CD, LOST HIGHWAY (Delta, UK, 2000).In conclusion, buy this set to complete your collection. Then, buy the Delta CD to actually LISTEN to. Mercury records, it's amazing how close you came to doing this one right."

All of the Health & Happiness Shows in one place

Bradley Olson | Bemidji, MN United States | 07/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is actually the first and only release in history of the complete Health & Happiness Shows. The recordings were mastered from transcription discs from the Country Music Foundation and the surface noise is left intact for the authenticity, plus you don't hear any of the commercials aired at the time these were broadcast on the radio. The shows were about a half hour each and for the most part ended with a hymn, the phrase, "If the Good Lord's willing and the creeks don't rise, we'll be sure to hear from you again" and the fiddle tune "Sally Goodin'" while the start of each show is done with Hank singing the cowboy tune "Happy Rovin' Cowboy." The shows were recorded at WSM radio and were broadcast nationwide. As a plus, the liner notes are great as well. Old time radio buffs, country music collectors, and Hank fans must have this set in their collection."

Excellent. Long overdue. A must have for Hank fans!

Ronald G. Reagan | Steele, Mo. | 04/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one is long overdue to be released. For once, I have an opportunity to compliment Mercury Nashville on a Hank release. You have the complete H & H shows here, folks. This is well worth the buy!"

Pure Hank

mike bravener | Canada | 02/27/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the avid collector of Hank the health and happiness shows present the listener with some of the finest "live" sound that is available. The versions of his well known tunes vary slightly from the studio releases and therefore are very fresh and raw. There is Hank's heart that comes through in his voice that is not quite captured on the studio releases. This, along with "Hank at the Grand Ole Opry" is a must for every collector and enjoyer of Hank. Favorite cuts are " Tramp On The Street", Long Gone Daddy, I Saw The Light, and of course "lovesick Blues""

It's Health and Happiness Time, with the old "Lovesick Blues

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 09/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 2 CD set features all eight "Health and Happiness" radio shows recorded by Hank Williams. These shows were all recorded in October of 1949, over two succesive Sundays. They were made to advertise the patent medicine "Hadacol", although no mention of the product is made on these CDs. The shows are taken from transcription discs, which were sent to radio stations to play on the air. The eight shows were 15 minutes long with commercials, which aren't included here (the commercials were to be read by a local disc jockey and weren't on the discs). The shows open with Hank's theme song, "Happy Roving Cowboy", during which Hank and the Drifting Cowboys are introduced by announcer Grant Turner. Then Hank plays one of his hits before a commercial break. Back from the break, another song is played before another commercial break. Unfortunately, on the second, third and fourth shows, this song is sung by Hank's wife, Miss Audrey. Audrey was a regular part of Hank's live shows, even though she couldn't sing worth a lick. Back from the second break, Drifting Cowboy Jerry Rivers plays about a half a minute of an old fiddle tune. Then, it's "hymn time" as Hank sings a country gospel song. The show closes with Hank saying, "If the Good Lord's willing, and the creeks don't rise, we'll see you again before long", before Jerry Rivers plays the fiddle tune "Sally Goodin" until the fade out. Hank and his band are excellent throughout these shows, Miss Audrey is not. The shows are a bit scratchy in spots, since they were recorded from very old records. But they are still sure to be enjoyed by any fans of old Hank."